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Eleven high schools from across South Dakota will compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational, a statewide competition focused on culinary arts and restaurant management, administered by the South Dakota Retailers Association.
The competition kicks off Tuesday, March 11, at the Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center in Pierre, with the cake decorating and restaurant management competitions beginning at 8:45 a.m. and the culinary competition beginning at 12:00 pm. Teams awarded top honors at the state competition will receive scholarships and advance to the National ProStart® Invitational in Baltimore, MD.
ProStart® is a two-year high school program that develops students into restaurant and hospitality leaders. Curriculum and real-world experience converge at the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational, where almost 50 participants will take part in fast-paced competitions, demonstrating skills in culinary arts, restaurant management, and cake decorating.
“ProStart® is an excellent way for us to invest in South Dakota’s future industry leaders,” said Retailers Association Exec. Dir. Nathan Sanderson. “Our students are highly skilled and graduate workplace ready.”
Participating schools include Aberdeen ATEC, Florence High School, Harrisburg High School, Huron High School, Madison Central High School, Mitchell Career and Technical Academy, Northeast Technical High School (Watertown), Rapid City Stevens High School, St. Francis Indian School, Sioux Falls Career and Technical Academy, and TF Riggs High School (Pierre).
The event is open to the public, and those unable to attend may follow the ProStart Facebook page as updates are posted at facebook.com/SouthDakotaProstart.